Methods and apparatus for guiding medical care based on sensor data from the gastrointestinal tract
Inventors
SUTARIA, Saheel • BENNETT-GUERRERO, Eliott • Eliason, Braden • Spivy, Arthur • BURNETT, Daniel R.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11406320-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for guiding medical care based on sensor data from the gastrointestinal tract are described utilizing an apparatus which can be used with enteral feeding. Generally, the apparatus includes an elongated body having a length configured for insertion into a stomach and at least one pair of electrodes located along the length of the elongated body and positionable for placement within the stomach. A controller in electrical communication with the at least one pair of electrodes is included and the control may also be configured to measure a conductivity or impedance between the pair of electrodes and to determine a gastric residual volume of the stomach based on the measured conductivity or impedance.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for use with enteral feeding that includes an elongated body with at least one lumen and at least one pair of electrodes located along the length and positionable for placement within the stomach. A controller measures a change in conductivity or impedance between the pair of electrodes over a period of time and displays gastric residual volume (GRV) data over a period of time.
An additive element is configured for per-oral insertion into the stomach through the at least one lumen, where the additive element alters the conductivity or impedance measured between the electrodes. The controller determines GRV based on the measured conductivity or impedance and on an increase or decrease of a ratio of stomach acid to the additive element introduced through the at least one lumen.
A method is also provided for determining GRV in a subject by introducing the elongated body into the stomach, positioning the pair of electrodes within the stomach, measuring the conductivity or impedance between the electrodes over a period of time, and determining and displaying GRV based on the measured conductivity or impedance. The method introduces the additive element through the lumen such that the measured conductivity or impedance is altered, and determines GRV based on the increase or decrease of a ratio of stomach acid to the additive element.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are two: an apparatus claim and a method claim. Across these, the core inventive concept is GRV determination using impedance or conductivity measured by stomach-positioned electrodes, altered by introducing an additive element, and computing GRV from the measured electrical property together with an increase or decrease of a ratio of stomach acid to the additive element.
Stomach electrodes with impedance measurement over time for GRV
An apparatus for use with enteral feeding including an elongated body insertable into a stomach with at least one lumen, and at least one pair of electrodes along the length positionable within the stomach, where a controller measures a change in conductivity or impedance between the pair of electrodes over a period of time and displays GRV data over a period of time.
Additive element altering conductivity or impedance to determine GRV
An apparatus where an additive element is configured for per-oral insertion into the stomach through the at least one lumen such that the additive element alters the conductivity or impedance measured between the electrodes, and where the controller determines GRV based on the measured conductivity or impedance and an increase or decrease of a ratio of stomach acid to the additive element introduced.
GRV method using impedance or conductivity measurement with additive element ratio
A method of determining GRV comprising introducing an elongated body into a stomach, positioning at least one pair of electrodes within the stomach, measuring conductivity or impedance between the pair of electrodes over a period of time, determining and displaying GRV based on the measured conductivity or impedance, introducing an additive element through a lumen such that the measured conductivity or impedance is altered, and determining GRV based on an increase or decrease of a ratio of stomach acid to the additive element.
The claim set covers both an apparatus and a corresponding method in which GRV is determined from stomach-positioned electrode conductivity or impedance measurements over time, with GRV determination additionally based on an increase or decrease of a ratio of stomach acid to an additive element introduced through the lumen that alters the measured electrical properties.
Stated Advantages
Displays gastric residual volume (GRV) data over a period of time.
Determines GRV based on measured conductivity or impedance altered by a stomach acid-to-additive element ratio.
Provides alerts when GRV data are outside an acceptable range.
Documented Applications
Enteral feeding monitoring and determination of gastric residual volume (GRV) in a subject using an elongated stomach-insertable apparatus with electrodes and an additive element communicated through a lumen.
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